Daytime Naps: Understanding Newborn Sleep Patterns And Habits

Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 11 to 19 hours a day. However, they don't know the difference between day and night, so they sleep whenever they feel tired. They also have tiny stomachs, so they need to wake up frequently to feed. Newborns sleep in short bursts, usually between 2 to 5 hours each, and their sleep cycles are typically between 20 to 50 minutes long.

Newborns don't know the difference between day and night

Newborns sleep in short bursts, usually for 2 to 3 hours at a time, and some newborns sleep for up to 4 hours at a time. They wake frequently to feed because they have tiny stomachs. They might go straight back to sleep after feeding, or they might stay awake long enough for a short play.

Newborns have two different kinds of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns move around a lot and make noises. They can be woken easily during this time. During quiet sleep, newborns are still, and their breathing is deep and regular. They are less likely to wake during this time. Each newborn sleep cycle, which includes both active and quiet sleep, takes about 40 minutes. At the end of each cycle, newborns wake up for a little while.

Newborns don't know that people sleep at night because the parts of their brains that control day-night sleep cycles haven't matured yet. They need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. This is known as a "circadian rhythm".

You can help your newborn learn to sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night. Keeping them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and removing bright lights at night can also help them develop an internal clock.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles

At the end of each cycle, newborns typically wake up briefly and may need assistance settling for the next cycle. These sleep cycles repeat throughout the day and night, with newborns waking every few hours for feedings. This is because they have tiny stomachs that need to be filled frequently.

The sleep cycles of newborns differ from those of adults. Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is a lighter sleep stage characterised by dreaming and rapid eye movements. In contrast, adults spend only about a quarter of their sleep time in REM sleep. As newborns grow older, the amount of time they spend in REM sleep decreases, and they gradually develop more mature sleep patterns.

While newborn sleep patterns vary, they generally sleep for a total of 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period. However, this sleep is spread out across the day and night, with newborns often mixing up their days and nights. This confusion arises because the parts of their brains that control day-night sleep cycles have not yet fully matured.

As newborns grow and develop, their sleep patterns will evolve, and they will eventually settle into a more consistent sleep-wake cycle.

Newborns need to be fed every few hours

Newborns should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day. Newborns sleep in short bursts of 2 to 3 hours each, and some newborns sleep for up to 4 hours at a time.

Breastfed babies feed very frequently, about every 2 to 3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.

It's important to note that newborns don't yet have a sense of day and night. They sleep around the clock and wake up to eat whenever they're hungry. Their sleep patterns will evolve as they grow, and they will eventually start sleeping for longer stretches.

• Create a gentle, positive, and consistent routine, such as feed, play, sleep.
• Use different techniques to settle your baby, such as rocking, cuddling, or singing.
• Make sure to expose your baby to light and play with them gently during the day, and provide a dim and quiet environment at night to help them learn the difference between day and night.
• Keep your baby's sleeping space at a comfortable temperature, generally between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
• Avoid overbundling your baby, and dress them appropriately for the room temperature.
• Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered during sleep.
• Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle propped for feeding, as this can lead to ear infections and choking.
• Avoid using soft bedding, loose blankets, or too many blankets, as these can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Offer a pacifier at sleep time, but don't force it.

Newborns need to be taught how to fall asleep on their own

Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 11 to 17 hours a day in their first year. However, this sleep is spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night, especially during the first few months. This is because newborns don't yet have a sense of day and night. They sleep around the clock and wake up frequently to feed.

Newborns have two different kinds of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns move around a lot and make noises. They can be woken easily during this time. During quiet sleep, newborns are still, and their breathing is deep and regular. They are less likely to wake during this time. Each newborn sleep cycle has both active and quiet sleep, and each cycle takes about 20 to 50 minutes. At the end of each cycle, newborns wake up for a little while.

Newborns don't know how to put themselves to sleep when they're tired or how to wake up when they're well-rested. This is a learned behavior. You can help your baby fall asleep by recognizing the signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing the right environment for comfortable and safe sleep.

• Put them down drowsy but awake in a snug swaddle with a pacifier. This can help them feel safer.
• Make their environment as womb-like as possible with blackout shades and a white noise machine to encourage dozing off.
• Check the room temperature. The ideal room temperature for babies is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Avoid any distracting lights or sounds that could keep them awake or wake them up.
• Establish a bedtime routine. Give your baby a feed and a warm bath, then put them into their pajamas. Close the shades, sing and read a book to them, then ease your little one off to dreamland.
• Help your baby develop an internal clock (circadian rhythm). Keep them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and remove bright lights at night.
• Make a 20- to 30-minute bedtime routine. This can help your baby calm down and know it's time for sleep.

Newborns need a safe sleep environment

Safe Sleep Surface and Location:

• Firm, Flat, and Level: The sleep surface should be firm, quickly returning to its original shape if pressed on, flat like a table, and level, not at an angle or incline.
• Mattress and Bedding: Use a well-fitted, firm mattress with a tight-fitting waterproof mattress protector that isn't padded or soft. Cover it with a fitted sheet. Avoid soft and curved surfaces, inclines, or unstable surfaces like couches, pillows, bean bags, and waterbeds.
• Separate Sleep Space: It is recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as parents or adults, preferably for the first year of life or at least the first six months. This arrangement is called room-sharing and is safer than bed-sharing. The baby's sleep space should be separate, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard placed near the adult bed.
• Avoid Adult Beds: Babies should never sleep on an adult bed, couch, or armchair, either alone or with others, including pets. These surfaces increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.

Clear and Safe Sleep Space:

• Keep the Area Clear: Ensure there is a clear space around the baby's sleep area, with no items within their reach, such as plastic, blind cords, mosquito nets, or electrical cords.
• Avoid Suffocation and Strangulation Hazards: Keep the baby's face and head uncovered, and remove any items that might obstruct their breathing or pose strangulation risks, such as pillows, nests, soft toys, or sleep positioners.
• Lightweight Coverings: Use lightweight coverings for the baby, tucked in securely at chest level. Alternatively, use a safe infant sleeping bag or suit.
• Temperature Control: Maintain a moderate temperature in the room, ensuring it's neither too hot nor too cold. Avoid using electric blankets or hot water bottles. Dress the baby appropriately for the room temperature, avoiding beanies or hats that can cause overheating.

Safe Sleep Position:

• Back Sleeping: Always place the baby on their back to sleep, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This position helps keep the baby's airways open and reduces the risk of rebreathing exhaled air, which contains less oxygen.
• Avoid Prone and Side Sleeping: Placing the baby on their stomach or side to sleep is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related issues.

Additional Considerations:

• No Bedding or Toys in the Crib: Keep plush toys, blankets, pillows, quilts, comforters, and bumper pads out of the baby's sleep area. These items can pose a suffocation or strangulation risk.
• Pacifier Offer: Offer a pacifier to the baby at sleep time, but don't force it. If the baby is breastfeeding, wait until it's firmly established.
• Avoid Smoking Exposure: Keep the baby away from smokers and secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS.
• Regular Monitoring: Check on the baby regularly, especially if they are sleeping in a separate room. Ensure they are breathing comfortably and haven't rolled over or become entangled in any bedding.

Creating a safe sleep environment for your newborn is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related issues. Always follow the recommendations of trusted health organizations and consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Frequently asked questions